Businesses encouraged to let Muslims observe end of Ramadan holiday
Taiwan News
Date: 2017/06/19
By: Renée Salmonsen, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Today the Ministry of Labor (勞動部) made a statement encouraging employers
The Muslim “breaking of the fast” holiday, Eid al-Fatir, is this Sunday.(By Central News Agency)
to allow Muslim workers to have the day off this Sunday, June 25, to observe Eid al-Fitr, the final day of Ramadan.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, namely with a “breaking of the fast” feast. Eid is a major religious holiday honored through tradition, not unlike Chinese New Year, Rosh Hashanah, or Christmas. Most importantly, it is a time to be with friends and family to celebrate peace and one’s beliefs.
According to Ministry of Labor statistics, of the 252,000 Indonesian workers in Taiwan, 85% are Muslim. The Ministry wants foreign workers to feel at home during this special time and strongly urges employers to give employees the day off as a gesture of respect.
The Taipei Department of Information and Tourism will host an all day party to celebrate Eid al-Fitr close to the Taipei Main Station, from 8-5. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je will also be in attendance to pass out red envelopes to lucky participants, an Eid al-Fitr custom similar to Chinese New Year. [FULL STORY]
